allisonwonderlandreads's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.0
Early on in The Hellion and the Hero, readers are treated to some anti-police and pro-workers' rights vibes (particularly for women working in factories), so it's off to a great start. But of course, I expect nothing less from Emily Sullivan. She also takes well-aimed shots at the British Empire and the nasty mindset behind colonialism throughout the story. How I love when historical romances manage to stay relevant and thoughtful about the societies they portray. Also, while we have a straight, white couple at the helm, we do have significant side characters who are people of color and a casually sapphic couple.
The romance is a second chance for widow Viscountess Georgiana Fox and retired naval intelligence officer Captain Henry Harris. Since Georgie was freed from her late husband's grasp, she has taken over a textile factory with the aim of listening to and respecting her workers, not least of which includes improved wages and childcare. The story notes that she doesn't deserve applause for basic human decency, but it still stands out as a worthy effort in a world where few make one. I wish we saw more of this in a genre where wealthy philanthropists often get fanfare over doing the bare minimum. Henry is working as a P.I., and Georgie's brother hires him to investigate threats being made against her as she moves to expand her business. Oblivious to their history-- a courtship eight years ago that ended with Georgie's engagement to someone else-- her brother keeps finding ways to force the two stubborn protagonists together in an effort to keep Georgie safe. In some ways, it was a relief that no deep harm had happened in their past, but a basic miscommunication is just as infuriating in a different way to explain their breakup once upon a time. Now, both are convinced they're the only one who ever harbored feelings for the other, so the pining has a hard edge since it's assumed to be unrequited. On the plus side, I love stoic people falling in love, and this book is two for the price of one. Unfortunately, this explains why a miscommunication could stand for so long. With both world champions at guarding their feelings and acting the martyr, no progress is made. No vulnerabilities are bared. And no open conversations are attempted. What we get is a no-strings-attached arrangement over a forced vacation.
Beyond the broad political implications of the story, my favorite parts were the individual journeys of both Georgie and Henry. Georgie is coming out of a shadowy period in her life, one where she was controlled and manipulated by her husband and punished for not bearing him an heir. Before that, she held the weight of responsibility to protect her younger siblings-- a circumstance that led her directly into her toxic marriage. Henry is grappling with his past service for a government that routinely used him as a pawn, seeking petty, vindictive gains that did not inspire patriotism or pride. It left Henry with an injured knee, a mobility aid, and deep emotional trauma, even as that same government touted him as a hero to protect its image.
I love what this story represents and what it means for the genre. Second chance is never my favorite trope, however, and not even a bodyguard dynamic was enough to lighten the load of the angst in the story. The couple seems good together, but we get to see so little of it amidst the flurry of hurt feelings and defensive maneuvers. For romance readers who love the process of seeing two broken hearts mended in a second chance story, I think this will be a winning read. Thanks to Forever for my copy to read and review!
The romance is a second chance for widow Viscountess Georgiana Fox and retired naval intelligence officer Captain Henry Harris. Since Georgie was freed from her late husband's grasp, she has taken over a textile factory with the aim of listening to and respecting her workers, not least of which includes improved wages and childcare. The story notes that she doesn't deserve applause for basic human decency, but it still stands out as a worthy effort in a world where few make one. I wish we saw more of this in a genre where wealthy philanthropists often get fanfare over doing the bare minimum. Henry is working as a P.I., and Georgie's brother hires him to investigate threats being made against her as she moves to expand her business. Oblivious to their history-- a courtship eight years ago that ended with Georgie's engagement to someone else-- her brother keeps finding ways to force the two stubborn protagonists together in an effort to keep Georgie safe. In some ways, it was a relief that no deep harm had happened in their past, but a basic miscommunication is just as infuriating in a different way to explain their breakup once upon a time. Now, both are convinced they're the only one who ever harbored feelings for the other, so the pining has a hard edge since it's assumed to be unrequited. On the plus side, I love stoic people falling in love, and this book is two for the price of one. Unfortunately, this explains why a miscommunication could stand for so long. With both world champions at guarding their feelings and acting the martyr, no progress is made. No vulnerabilities are bared. And no open conversations are attempted. What we get is a no-strings-attached arrangement over a forced vacation.
Beyond the broad political implications of the story, my favorite parts were the individual journeys of both Georgie and Henry. Georgie is coming out of a shadowy period in her life, one where she was controlled and manipulated by her husband and punished for not bearing him an heir. Before that, she held the weight of responsibility to protect her younger siblings-- a circumstance that led her directly into her toxic marriage. Henry is grappling with his past service for a government that routinely used him as a pawn, seeking petty, vindictive gains that did not inspire patriotism or pride. It left Henry with an injured knee, a mobility aid, and deep emotional trauma, even as that same government touted him as a hero to protect its image.
I love what this story represents and what it means for the genre. Second chance is never my favorite trope, however, and not even a bodyguard dynamic was enough to lighten the load of the angst in the story. The couple seems good together, but we get to see so little of it amidst the flurry of hurt feelings and defensive maneuvers. For romance readers who love the process of seeing two broken hearts mended in a second chance story, I think this will be a winning read. Thanks to Forever for my copy to read and review!
kyeruhh's review
medium-paced
3.5
This book was cute! I think I would’ve liked it more if I’d read it sooner after finishing the first two, but I still enjoyed it. I don’t often read much about the late 19th century, so it was fun to see the differences between then and earlier time periods where most of the historical romances I tend to read are set.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
bookilydo's review against another edition
3.5
This was a delightful story of an unconventional FMC during the Industrial Revolution in England. After inheriting some factories, she decides to buck the labor norms of the day and institute fair wages and safe labor practices for her workers. Threats to her person ensue, and her family hires an investigator/bodyguard against her wishes to keep her safe. It just so happens that they hire a famous war hero who happens to have been one of our FMC's suitors during her first season.
This is a story of second chance romance with a fun trip to luxurious Monte Carlo thrown in. The mystery of who is out to get out FMC is what throws our MCs together, but it takes a backseat to the love story.
This is a story of second chance romance with a fun trip to luxurious Monte Carlo thrown in. The mystery of who is out to get out FMC is what throws our MCs together, but it takes a backseat to the love story.
whatmadsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
keepingyouonread's review
3.0
The Hellion and the Hero is the third book in Sullivan’s League of Scoundrels series. While I read this as a stand-alone, it seems like the other two books would have provided some more to the backstory of Georgina and Henry.
What I liked: The sex scenes were steamy without coming across as forced or cheesy.
Georgina dealt with some more modern issues - she was running a business and unsure if she wanted children.
This book made me curious about the first two books in the series.
What didn’t work for me: The romance moved a little slow, with the steamy scenes taking place after the 50% mark.
The mystery of who was behind the attacks on Georgina was a little weak.
A lot of the issues are easily solvable if the characters talked to each other.
Who should read it: You like slow-burn, second chance romances with a hint of enemies to lovers.
Thank you to Forever for this gifted copy. Out now!
What I liked: The sex scenes were steamy without coming across as forced or cheesy.
Georgina dealt with some more modern issues - she was running a business and unsure if she wanted children.
This book made me curious about the first two books in the series.
What didn’t work for me: The romance moved a little slow, with the steamy scenes taking place after the 50% mark.
The mystery of who was behind the attacks on Georgina was a little weak.
A lot of the issues are easily solvable if the characters talked to each other.
Who should read it: You like slow-burn, second chance romances with a hint of enemies to lovers.
Thank you to Forever for this gifted copy. Out now!